Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed that forward Sammy Blais will make his team debut on Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 29-year-old forward slots into the lineup in place of William Nylander, who is managing a lower-body injury in the second game of a back-to-back. The Leafs defeated the Calgary Flames, 4-3, at home on Tuesday night.
Craig Berube says Sammy Blais will make his #Leafs debut tonight. William Nylander will not play as they continue to manage his lower-body injury. @BodogCA
— David Alter (@dalter) October 29, 2025
A native of Montmagny, Que., Blais was claimed off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens in early October. The move reunited Blais with Berube, who previously coached him with the St. Louis Blues.
A veteran of 257 NHL games across seven seasons with the Blues and New York Rangers, Blais has notched 27 goals and 44 assists.
Internationally, Blais was a member of the Canada team that won gold at the 2023 IIHF World Championship in Finland and Latvia, scoring six goals and adding two assists in 10 games.
Nylander, 29, has three goals and 12 assists through nine games this season.
